Two charged in oil and gas company chemical theft

Apr 2, 2019 | 4:52 PM

EDMONTON – A man and a woman from Edmonton have been charged in the theft of chemicals from an oil and gas company.

Police say the local company reported an alleged theft in November 2017 after an audit found a discrepancy in inventory.

The company said it believed more than 2,700 kilograms of chemical had been stolen by an employee in late 2010.

Detectives determined that about US$580,000 worth of the chemical had been stolen and exported to the eastern United States.

They believe a former employee stole the chemical and, with his partner, created a shell company to facilitate a sale to the U.S.

Timothy Gray, who is 49, and 44-year-old Michelle Gray are charged with theft and possession of stolen property.

Timothy Gray is also charged with fraud.

The economic crimes section of the Edmonton Police Service, in partnership with U.S. law enforcement, continues to investigate.

by The Canadian Press